Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-06-13
INGERSOLL'S OPINIONS.
ON POLITICS THEY ARE MUCH AFTER
THE BUNsBy STYLE

But the Pfous Robert Has Some Very Def
mite Views ON Immigration, Which He
Spices with n whaek at the Puritans-
Polite, of No Consequence. Anyhow.
CINCINNATI, June i3.-Col Bob Ingersoll
was s-en in the United States courtroom
Saturday. where he was trying a case. and
was asked TO talk on the subject OF polifies
He consented, but asked that the questions
be written out He dictated the following
answers:
what, if any, are the issues between the
old parties in the United State A--Some
Republicans believe in protection and some
Democrats IN free trade. A good many IN
both parties want Office One of the great
issues probably the greatsst-now is as 10
which party shall have the places
O-As between the candidates Blaine and
Sherman. who has the best prospect for nom
inationl A--Probahly somebody else The
fact, however, Is that take no interest what
ever in politics There being no questions OF
particular Importance involved, there Is Moth
ing 30 be especially Interested about. unless
yoa hsppen TO be . candidate fur Office
have not calculated the chaiscss Of either OF
the gentlemen yca mention. IL Is tmrsssiese
10 tell what Sherman may be able 70 do while
Blaine is away, and it may he that Blaine
will he enabled TODD more In thecsher country
than he csald do if he renssinei at hoEne-he
has the advantage Of foReer lever
Another thing. Nobsiy knows how many
mistakes are 20 be made by each before the
convention assemblies The menlent man
gets his heart set on the presidency his mind
becomes sEaewhat affected, his actions be
eos,e little unnatural he Is afraid of kick
ing sonsething over Everything he says is
liable to he misinterpreted. Ii be seeks safe
ty in commonplace remarks be only gains
the reputation of stupidity. if be tries to be
brilliant the people say he is unsafe. But |
take no interest in these matters. The people
are interested in other things The country
Is growing rich. Towns and cities are being
built. The people are prosperous, and, with
the exception Of very few, care hut little
about these questions The labor organiza-
tions hope to do something, they hardly know
what, ami have no clear idea OF how what
they desire to do il TO I've accomplished, hut
my sympathies are with them.
a1-What in your opinion is the effect of
foreign immigration in the United Statesi
A.-All foreigners are not good. The same
remark may he made about natives Some
foreigners are good, and probably the Same
remark may he safely made about the Amer
leans themselves. On the whole, the effect
of immigration is good. This country is capa
bic Of taking care Of 600 0oo, 900 of people. A
great majority of the foreigners who come
| come with the intention of building home
of purchasing land; come for the purpose Of
getting an opportunity TO work; come foI
better wages; TO better their condition, and
a very large majority are willing TO work Il
| the extent of their strength. ! have not TIN
| slightest sympathy with the people who ar,
| endeavor1ng 30 prevent the landing Of i'm
| migrants on cur Shores. This country certain
| w would not have bccn much without immi
| grafton For my part, do not see why th'
| emigTants Of 1881 have not just the sam
/ right to land on these shores that the emf
| grants Of lt20 had. and some that are coming
| now are good deal better than some Of thos
| who came then; they are altogether neare
| civiiizei: have better ideas as to the rights o
others, and have in far greater degree tn
| habit Of attending to their own business.
Q-So understand that you have nothing
| to do with politics. A-Yes. as | said before
| take no particular interest. Of course, lil1
| the Republican party much better than lik
the Democratic, hut there is nothing at stake
| and ] am not relying Hpnn these parties fo
the civilization Of the country. Politics is
small factor il the great work of civilizatiol
compared with the arts and the sciences
compared with education and all the thoHsan'
influences tending to refine and ennoble tn
race Apart from the general principles in
VOWED, practical politics is very liable Z
degenerate into squabble, and above III
duet of this squabt,le, above thepetty passion
Of the hour, above the small and mean amh
lions of the few are the great and splendid in
finences tending TO the civilization of man
| kind